250 years deserves a handwritten note 🇺🇸

I was a young high schooler in 1976 when America celebrated its bicentennial and I still remember the hoopla, the pride and the excitement of that moment. 🇺🇸

50 years later — it's happening again. And this time I have my own quarter century stationery business to mark the occasion with! 😄

I couldn't let America's 250th birthday pass without designing something special. So I created the America 250 Pack — four designs that capture the spirit, beauty and pride of this once in a lifetime milestone:

✦ Red, white & blue forever ✦ God Bless America ✦ Home of the free because of the brave ✦ Land that I love

Eight cards. Four designs. One very special birthday. 🎆

Whether you're reaching out to a longtime friend, a veteran you want to honor, or someone you've simply been meaning to write to — this is your sign. Pick up a pen and celebrate 250 years of America with a little handwritten love. 💌

👉 Order by June 24th to receive before July 4th!

The cards are $18 per set of 8 and available now at the link below. 🇺🇸

A June Love Note 💌

A Little Love Note -- June 2026 💌

Hello Friends,

May was one for the books. Seven shows 🦋, Audrey's graduation 🎓, her "Sip Sip Hooray" party 🎉 at our house, my 30th wedding anniversary with Paul 🥂, AND my sister's retirement party 👩‍🏫 …

Let's just say May was full. The very best kind of full.

Hello June. I see you. 🗓️

This month I'm looking forward to a little more white space 🤍 on the calendar, and my restorative walks 👟 along the Esplanade in Redondo Beach 🌊☀️. Those walks are where the magic happens for me — I think, I reset, I breathe. And occasionally I run into friends, meet new people or spot a pod dolphins 🐬....it never gets old!

3 Things I'm Loving This Month 💖

1. Louisa and Joe's Wedding 💒

I've known Louisa for years through my daughter Helen, and when she asked me to design her wedding invites I was beyond honored. Over the past several months I've designed her save the dates (complete with a hand-drawn illustration of Pinehurst Country Club ⛳), her wedding invitations, and a series of little custom drawings of special Pinehurst spots that live on her wedding website. Every detail was poured over with so much love. I cannot wait to celebrate her and Joe this month! 🥂

2. My New Personalized Stationery Collection! 💌

It's here and I am SO excited about this one!! 15 designs 🎨, each one completely personalized with your name. From the romantic to the francophile to the bold one -- there truly is something for every kind of note writer ✍🏼 and they are now available on my website!
Fun fact -- Louisa was actually the first person to request very specific personalized stationery from me. The hand-drawn cheetah design I created for her planted the seed for this entire collection! 🐆

👇 Shop the full array of options here

3. First Time in Savannah and Charleston 🌿

Before the wedding in Pinehurst we are heading to Savannah and Charleston — both for the very first time and I cannot wait!!
I have a feeling these cities were practically made for someone who loves handwritten notes, beautiful paper, history and charm. I already have stamps packed 😄💌. lf you've been, please share any not to miss sights or spots!

June, I'm ready for you. 🌸

With Love (and ink) ✍️ 🦋,

P.S. Don't forget to send a Father's Day card to your amazing dads and male mentors this month. Happy Father's Day to all the great men in our lives!

Wishing you a month full of celebrations, gratitude, and reasons to put pen to paper.

May Magic 🌸!

Hello Friends,

I'm not sure about you but May is coming in hot 🌶️ over here!

The first half of the month is packed with 7 shows 🦋,  which involves lots of printing, packaging, and schlepping 💪. During the second half of the month, we’ll be celebrating a big family milestone—our youngest daughter Audrey is graduating 👩‍🎓 from Chapman University as a speech language pathologist! We are so proud of her and excited to celebrate with a party at our house later this month 🥳.

Add in Mother’s Day 👩 and Paul and I celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 on the 25th, and let’s just say…May is full in the very best
way 🌟.

In the middle of all the busy, I’m always reminded how much the little things matter most—a handwritten note 💌, a thoughtful card, a moment to celebrate someone you love.Thank you for continuing to support Social Butterfly Designs and this beautiful community built around connection.

Wishing you a month full of celebrations, gratitude, and reasons to put pen to paper.

3 Things I'm Loving This Month! 💖

1. Mother's Day -- is one of my favorite moments each May because it gives me a chance to celebrate the incredible mom who helped shaped me and my life 🌸,
while also reflecting on the joy and gratitude I feel as a mom of three amazing adult kids. It’s a sweet reminder of how much love, wisdom, and connection can be passed down through generations, and how meaningful it is to pause and appreciate it all.

2. Planning a Party -- I'm very excited to host a gathering in our home later this month for Audrey's gradution. The theme is "Sip Sip Hooray" with an Aperol Spritz twist 🍹. My daughter created her invitation on Partiful (all via text 🤦‍♀️) so I was cut out of the invitation process but look forward to working together to create a fun theme-filled evening to celebrate her!

3. Paying Off My Car 🚙 -- those of you who have known me for a while know I drove a Chevy Suburban for over 20 years (she was a great car) but bought myself an Audi Q5 in 2022 and have never looked back....she will be all paid off this month ...and has many years of driving life to go...Yipee!

Thank you for continuing to support Social Butterfly Designs and this beautiful community built around connection.

Wishing you a month full of celebrations, gratitude, and reasons to put pen to paper.

P.S. Don't forget to send your mom or a special woman/mentor in your life a card on May 10th...it will truly mean the world to her. And if you need a card, we've got you covered...but order soon before it's too late!

5 Simple Tips for Writing a Mother's Day Card Mom Will Treasure 🌸!

Looking for a little Mother's Day inspiration? Not that you need it but here are 5 simple tips to help you get started!

A Little April Reset 🌸!

Is it just me, or has 2026 felt like both twelve months long and barely two weeks at the same time? Somehow… here we are in April.

I’ve always loved this month. It feels like new beginnings…probably because it’s also my birthday month. Someone once told me that birthdays are our own personal New Year…a fresh start and a chance to reset. This year ends in a “5” for me and I’ve always believed the “5s” and “0s” deserve a little extra attention—especially as I get older 🥳, haha. So yes, I’ll be celebrating accordingly and embracing this next year with gusto ❤️‍🔥.

It’s also shaping up to be a busy season, with nine shows coming up between now and mid-May. The behind-the-scenes work can get intense—printing, packaging, schlepping, early mornings, etc.—but I always get it done. And truly, the reward is being out there, connecting with my customers. As much work as it is, those moments continue to inspire me and are a big part of what has kept me going for 25+ years.

This month is also been a quiet reminder of just how much the people in our lives matter, from the friends and family we see often and those to those we hold close in quieter ways. Time with the people we love is something I never want to take for granted.

3 Things I’m Loving This Month 💖

Copper Page Nibs by Levenger
A bit random, but this purchase has brought me so much joy. Paper-thin and shaped like a pen nib ✒️ (IYKYK), they mark pages in my work and personal planners in the most elegant, barely-there way…great for bookmarks too! A small, thoughtful delight. On sale for $15 for a box of 50!

Needlepoint (Again!)
I picked this back up last summer in Chicago after stumbling into a charming shop called Third Coast Stitches. It brought back memories of my mom’s beautiful work—pillows, dolls, and ornaments I still treasure. I’m slowly working on a Christmas tree canvas with hopes of turning it into an ornament…and maybe starting a tradition for my own kids. Stay tuned (I hope!).

Fresh Flowers—Just Because
Nothing fancy, but I love picking up a simple mix of flowers (Trader Joe’s, of course!!) and putting them in a favorite vase. It’s such an easy way to brighten a space (and my mood), especially during busy weeks.

As we step into this new month (and for me, a new year), I’m reminded how much the little things matter—the connections, the traditions, the everyday moments that make us who we are.

Maybe April is a good excuse to reach out to someone you’ve been thinking about…a quick note, a simple hello, a small reminder that they matter. I challenge you to write a note to someone special this week 🐌 💌!

With Love and Ink 💌…

Jill

A March Love Note 💌

Hello March 🍀,

I’m easing into this month feeling a little stretched, not overwhelmed, just aware of how full the next few months are going to be.

February gave me a gift, though. My annual trip to New York with my friend Stacey was exactly what I needed. Shopping. Great meals. A Broadway show ("Operation Mincement"  5 ⭐'s!). Walking in Central Park. No agenda beyond being there. I came home rested in a way that only happens when you truly step out of your routine for a few days.

And now…real life again.

The calendar is filling quickly. Show season is around the corner. There’s printing, packaging, planning — all the things I know well after 25 years in this business. And still, each season requires a fresh rhythm.

So March, for me, is about finding steady ground before the pace picks up.

💁‍♀️ Not changing everything.

🐝 Not doing more.

⚓ Just staying anchored.

One small thing that helped last week? I sat down and wrote seven notes in one afternoon. No big reason — just because. And it felt grounding in the best way. Slowing down long enough to put pen to paper reminded me that connection doesn’t have to be complicated.

3 Things I’m Loving This Month 💚:

🛍️ Remembering My Visit to the Frank & Eileen store on Madison Avenue

On our NYC trip, I visited one of my favorite brand's very first brick-and-mortar shop — and it was such a treat. The space is two stories and somehow feels more like an Irish cottage than a retail store. Warm wood, thoughtful details, and it even has a tiny kitchen and living room space...and a secret candy shop 🤫. The whole experience felt intentional and inviting. I did come home with a piece I’ll wear for years, but honestly, what I loved most was seeing how beautifully they brought their brand to life in a physical space.

👂📗 Listening to Strangers: A Wedding Memoir by Belle Burden
I cannot stop listening. I’m on Audible, and it’s narrated by the author, which makes it even more captivating. It’s reflective, observant, and quietly powerful, one of those stories that lingers with you long after you pause it and from what I hear it will likely get a movie deal. Audio books provide great listening material for me while I'm in my office folding and packaging!

🍃 Preparing for a Full Season...Without the Rush
I know the next few months will be busy with shows, printing, and packaging. Instead of bracing for it, I’m trying to move toward it steadily. One list at a time. One project at a time. Calm preparation feels very different from reactive scrambling which is challenging for me but I will try!

Happy March, and cheers to more snail mail 🐌 💌.

With love (and ink),
Jill
Social Butterfly Designs ✍🏼🦋

A February Love Note (and a different way to think about Valentine's Day) 💌

Hello February 💕

This month always arrives with a little extra heart and while Valentine’s Day often gets labeled as romantic, I like to think of it as something bigger. An opportunity 💌 .

An opportunity to pause and write a note…not just to a partner, but to a friend who shows up, a co-worker who makes your days easier, a neighbor, or someone who could use a reminder that they matter.

Some of the most meaningful notes I’ve written (and received) had nothing to do with romance. They were about gratitude, encouragement, and connection…emotions that last longer than flowers and chocolate.

Valentine’s Day has always felt like a time for handwritten notes but if writing a Valentine feels like too much, try this instead: “I was thinking about you and wanted you to know…”

As you move through February, I hope you’ll consider sending even just one handwritten note to someone who isn’t expecting it. No pressure. No perfection. Just connection, in some very little ways:

📝 In a short handwritten note left on the counter.
💌 In a card sent “just because.”
🐌 In the simple act of slowing down long enough to write someone’s name.

In case you missed it, I am hosting little Valentine event on Thursday, February 5 from 5 to 7 pm! Please join, me, Rock Goddess Jewelry and Mrs. Hovies Toffee if you’re in the area and can make it!

3 Things I’m Loving This Month 💖:

💘 Valentine’s (of course!)

For all the reasons mentioned above and then some, Valentine’s Day conjures up memories of vintage valentines being passed out to all my early childhood classmates, sometimes with a special treat or message…always a favorite school day for me!

🗽 Annual New York City Trip with Stacey

Every February, for past 10+ years I have had the great blessing of going to NYC with my bestie Stacey…and boy do we have fun: winter walks in Central Park, fine dining, shows, museums, shopping, morning coffee at Saint Ambroeus, discovering new places and lots of laughter. Traveling with a longtime friend hits differently at this stage of life and in all the right ways. I’m so excited…stay tuned for a reel later this month!

🌊 Early Morning Winter Beach Walks

I like to say “this is where the magic happens”…I typically walk several miles along the Esplanade and the Redondo Beach Pier a couple of days a week and oh how it fills my soul. I have had so many incredible experiences in these moments and met some of the most wonderful people. I’ll have to write more on this at a later date but I have stories! This past weekend there were dolphins aplenty too, it can’t help but put you in an elevated mood!

Happy February, and happy writing.

With love (and ink),
Jill
Social Butterfly Designs ✍🏼🦋

A January Love Note 💌

Dear Friends,

For me, January always feels like a fresh page 🗒️. After the hurried pace of December 👟, this quieter month is a time to slow down, clear some space (physically and mentally), and settle into more relaxed and familiar routines.

I am starting 2026 with a little reset -- cleaning out my office and closet (still a work in progress🚪). In the process of going through my main (and very disorganized) desk drawer, I rediscovered a handful of old pens just beautifully sitting there in the midst of all the clutter that "was" my desk drawer. Getting them back in working order was a small but satisfying reminder that sometimes the things we love most are already right in front of us, just waiting to be used again.

I also find the new year as a time to clear the clutter and noise that dilutes me from fulfilling my priorites so I also like to delete the emails I don't need, clean my drawers, cancel unused subscriptions, clear out my closet of things I no longer wear and remove the many apps I don't use. Bonus: I listed over 25 new    items in my Posmark closet and made 3 sales!

This month is all about slowing down, reading, writing, and easing gently into the new year.

Three Things I'm Loving This Month:

✍️ Pens
Old favorites, newly rediscovered. There’s something comforting about reaching for a pen that feels just right and letting the ink flow without rushing. I've been a certified pen snob for most of my life so this one is real for me, 😂. My favorite every day pens still remain the Pilot G-2 Roller pen 0.7 and the Sharpie S-Gel pen 0.7. But these oldies but goodies (see image below) are back up and running and ready to roll!

📚 The Book “The Correspondent”
While I read this last year, I loved this book by Virginia Evans so much as it was a beautiful reminder of the intimacy and timelessness of handwritten letters — and why putting pen to paper still matters. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it!!

Hoping for more reading in 2026!

🎙️ “The Nerve” Podcast with Maureen Callahan

"The Nerve" with Maureen Callahan is one of my favorite guilty pleasures...home for everything from not-regularly-promoted takes on pop culture to true crime, Maureen masterfully dissects everything with whip smart analysis, humor, and skepticism. Is anyone else a fan?

❤️ With Love,

                                                                         Jill

P.S. Your thoughts are appreciated! With the positive response I received from my first Love Note in December, I have decided to make this a regular monthly email and blog post. I hope you find it of interest Happy New Year!

And, for anyone interested in some before and after office photos 🫠..

A December Love Note 💌 !

Dear Friends,

There’s something about December that always touches my heart. It’s my busiest month of the year, but I love it nonetheless. As I reflect on the blessings of the past year -- family, friends, and the joy of this business -- I’m filled with gratitude 🫶. Celebrating my 25th Anniversary this year has made me even more thankful for Social Butterfly Designs and for all of you who have supported me along the way. December truly is a month full of meaning, if you pause long enough to feel it.

I finished November on such a high note – one of my best month’s ever at Social Butterfly Designs, capped by my best one-day sales record ever at the Special Children’s League event in Palos Verdes! It’s always so rewarding to see familiar faces at my shows and meet so many new customers along the way.

A few holiday standouts clearly emerged this season—my 2026 Desk Calendars and Jill’s Go To Pack seem to be fan favorites. And of course, our holiday gift tags are always a hit. I’m already dreaming up new designs for Holiday 2026!

The highlight of November for me was celebrating Thanksgiving with my family in Santa Barbara, hosted by my sister Liz Brady. Both George and Helen were able to fly in from Chicago, making it only the second time in a year that our family of five was all together 🥹. Being surrounded by family is a blessing beyond words.

A few things I’m loving this month:

Candles! 🕯️ My current favorite is the Nest New York candle created in collaboration with one of my favorite artists  Donald Robertson aka @drawbertson.  Ooh la la!

Cozy sweaters. 🧶 My go-to wardrobe staple this season is a soft, cozy sweater (with oversized sweatshirts a close second!). My most-loved new piece is from Doen, which I wore at my 25th Anniversary Party in October -- I can’t wait to wear it throughout the holidays.

Clare V. bags & straps. 👜 I’m a little obsessed with all the fun strap options from Clare V. My most recent purchase is the shorty strap to go with my Moyen Messenger Bag which which was purchased three years ago but always feels like new when you add a fun new strap! 

Sharing a little SECRET 🤭...I am having a one-day Flash Sale ✨ on my calendars 📅 tomorrow (12/10) where all my 2026 desk calendars will be on sale for $15, a $10 savings!

Wishing you all a festive, sparkling ✨, and JOY-filled December 🎄!

With love 💌 

Jill

Family Time together this Thanksgiving in Santa Barbara.

New Initial Notecards Are Here...Our Best Set Yet!

✨Drumroll please…our brand new set of Initial Cards has arrived! 🎉

Since 2009, I’ve been introducing a fresh set of initial notecards every other year, and this one might just be my most colorful and fun collection yet (9 years and counting!).

These cards are perfect for everyday note writing—whether you’re saying thank you 🙏, sending a little love 💕, or just dropping a cheerful hello 🌸. The bold designs make each letter pop, and the best part? You can swap out any initial to make your card uniquely yours! 🔄

I love how these new designs mix vibrant patterns, playful details, vintage inspiration and a touch of whimsy ✨. They’re a fun way to make even the simplest note feel personal and special. Because really, who doesn’t love opening the mailbox to find a handwritten note in their mailbox? 💌

Card writing ✍️ has been found to be one of the best exercised for improving mood 🫶 and these little initial cards, a staple of my business for over 15 years, are great to have on hand and make the perfect card to send “just because”…go ahead, refresh your stash today and make someone else’s day by sending an unexpected note!

Take a peek at the new collection in the photo above—can you spot your favorite letter? 😉

💌 Celebrate National Letter Writing Day (9/1) and the Power of Putting Pen to Paper 🖋️!

September 1st, is World Letter Writing Day—a day that personally reminds me of the timeless power of a handwritten note!

For me, this day carries a special meaning. Last year, I committed to a year of letter writing. Over the course of 12 months (366 days, accounting for Leap Year), I wrote to friends, family, strangers, mentors, and even my mailman. What started as a personal challenge turned into something much bigger—a journey of connection, gratitude, and discovery.

I have also tagged it as my year of JOY because every single day I was thinking of someone to write to and what I could say to them about what they mean to me and that made me happy and excited for them to receive my words. And on the flip side, I was blessed by the overwhelming feedback I received in return. Give it a try 😉 , and it doesn’t have to be every day…I promise you will find the JOY too 😊!

I learned that the simple act of sitting down with pen 🖋️ and paper 📃 can (and will):
💌 Brighten someone’s entire day.
💌 Create lasting keepsakes that people treasure.
💌 Offer a sense of presence in a digital world.
💌 Heal, encourage, and inspire in ways we sometimes don’t expect.

That journey also deepened the mission behind my business, Social Butterfly Designs, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year 🎉. For 25 years, I’ve been designing stationery and cards with one goal in mind—to help people connect more meaningfully through handwritten notes.

To celebrate this occasion, I’m sharing a resource close to my heart: 14 Note Writing Tips (see image below 👇) with ideas I have been sharing on my Instagram account @socialbutterflydesigns over the past several months. Whether you haven’t written a note in a while or already have a drawer full of stationery, these tips will help spark ideas, ease the pressure of “what do I say?”, and make the process fun again.

Some of my favorites include:
✨ Try writing to someone out of the blue — those unexpected notes often mean the most.
✨ Don’t forget to write to people you live with — a little surprise love note can go a long way.
✨ Write to a stranger — during my letter-writing year, this was one of the most magical experiences.

So, in honor of National Letter Writing Day, I encourage you to:

1. Pick up a pen.

2. Choose someone—anyone—who could use a lift or just a few kind words.

3. Write a note that’s just a few sentences long.

That’s it. No need for perfect wording or fancy stationery (though I won’t say no if you use a favorite design 😉). What matters most is that you take the time.

Because when you put pen to paper, you’re giving someone a piece of yourself—and that gift lasts far longer than a text or email ever could.

Check out “Jill’s Go To” Pack

These four designs were my

“Go To” notes during my year

of letter writing!

SIDE NOTE: This weekend I got together with some lifelong friends and shared a handwritten note one of these friends had written to me in high school and she was so caught off guard to see her handwriting and words (single-lined college ruled paper, double sided front to back) after all these years. She was amazed I still had it and was touched I shared it with her and passed it along. I have so many more where that came from because the thing about notes is that you can hold onto them forever, unlike a text or email, and they still mean something to me and if shared, to the one who wrote them in the first place.

OK, so if you have stuck with me this long, you obviously have some interest in the topic at hand. I am going to be putting together a course which I am (for now) calling The Notewriting Lab, where I am going to go deeper into my own personal note writing experience and share a lot about what I’ve learned over the past 25 years in running my stationery business with tips, personal accounts and some surprises along the way. If you might be interested in such a course, just drop a heart in the comments or send me an email and I will be sure to keep you posted.

Happy National Letter Writing Day, friends! 💕

Jill

Follow along on Instagram @socialbutterflydesigns and @thenotewritinglab. Hope to see you there!

National Stationery Week -- Let's Celebrate the Power of Paper!

Celebrate Snail Mail Magic with Me! 💌

Did you know it’s National Stationery Week? As someone who just completed a year-long handwritten note journey (yep, 366 days of heartfelt words and sentiments!), I couldn't let this week pass without a little fanfare.

To celebrate, I’m debuting something special:
✨ The Jill’s Go-To Pack ✨
A curated set of 8 notecards featuring the 4 designs I reached for again and again during my letter-writing year. Whether it was a thinking-of-you, I appreciate you or a spontaneous "you’ve got this!"—these cards carried my words with just the right vibe.

Why do I love them 🥰?
Because they’re versatile, cheerful, and just the right nudge to get you writing that note you've been meaning to send.

🎨 Jill’s Go-To Pack – 8 notecards, 4 delightful, all-purpose designs I reached for all year long.

🦋 1. Butterfly Trio – “Just for You”
My go-to for thoughtful, anytime notes. Sweet, simple, and perfect for any occassion, especially a “just thinking of you” moment that flutters right into someone’s heart.

🌸 2. Floral Heart – “From the Heart”
This beauty was made for meaningful messages. Whether I was writing to an old friend or sending a dose of encouragement, this card wrapped my words in love.

👯‍♀️ 3. Hello Friend – “Little Things, Big Love”
Bright, playful, and bursting with charm. A note with this card always brought smiles—and reminded me how fun it is to connect just because.

❌⭕ 4. XOXO – “Hugs & Kisses”
Short and sweet, this one says it all. When I wanted to send warmth and love, XOXO did the trick.

So grab your favorite pen, pour something soothing, and celebrate National Stationery Week with a little handwritten joy.

✍️ Put pen to paper. Make someone’s day. Start a ripple of connection.

With paper love,
Jill 💕

P.S. I’m offering a special discount on this card set this week! You can take 20% off this pack with code JILLSGOTO through Friday, May 23rd.

The Jill’s Go To Pack

April is National Letter Writing Month -- Let's Bring Back the Magic of the Mailbox!

Did you know April is National Letter Writing Month? It’s the perfect time to slow down, pick up a pen, and connect with someone the old-fashioned way—with a handwritten note.

I believe there’s something truly special about putting your thoughts on paper. A note in the mail is a little moment of joy, a smile tucked inside an envelope. And in a world buzzing with notifications and emojis, it’s a deeply personal gesture that stands out.

Writing to people is the amazing opposite of social media. Instead of isolating us, it connects us. Instead of being focused on appearance, it focuses on the spirit. Instead of flashy and distracting, it's slow and meaningful, and helps us re-focus and reflect on our relationships.  You can change your whole attitude and help change the mood/day of the lives of the people around you just by writing a simple and thoughtful note 💌. 

Why Letter Writing Still Matters

Think about the last time you opened your mailbox and found something that wasn’t a bill or a catalog. A real letter, addressed just to you in familiar handwriting. Remember that feeling? That little flutter of excitement? That’s the power of handwritten connection!

Whether it’s a thank you note, a birthday wish, a just-because message, or a simple “I miss you”—your words, in your own penmanship, mean more than you know.

Let’s Celebrate All Month Long

To celebrate Letter Writing Month, I’m challenging you to write at least three unexpected notes this month. Here are some ideas:

• Surprise an old friend with a “thinking of you” card

• Send a note to someone who’s helped you recently

• Leave a love note for your spouse, your child—or even your mail carrier

• Drop a few lines to someone you see often but never pause to thank

And of course, I’ve always got you covered with specially-designed note cards to make your words even more memorable. From quirky cards to heartfelt sentiments, each design is made with connection in mind.

Join the Note-Writing Movement

Need a little inspiration? Follow me on Instagram at @socialbutterflydesigns where I’ll continuing to share note writing prompts, ideas, and a peek into my own letter-writing routine.

Let’s bring back the joy of the handwritten note—one letter at a time.

Happy Letter Writing Month!

xx 💕…Jill 🦋 💌

Deciding on a Name and Designing a Logo: A Journey of Evolution

Back in 1999, when the idea for this business was just a spark between two new mom friends who met in a Mommy & Me class, we were clueless about what to call it (fun fact: I originally co-founded Social Butterfly Designs with my friend Susan Mills in 2000). We spent countless hours brainstorming and writing down potential names. We even turned to family and friends to see if any ideas stuck. It wasn’t until my former colleague at Princess Cruises, Diane Elcan, suggested “Social Butterfly” that we both immediately fell in love with the name. There was just one problem—someone had already claimed the domain name!

We knew we wanted to build a website eventually, so we had to get creative. My husband, Paul, came to the rescue with a simple suggestion—why not add “Designs” to the name? And just like that, Social Butterfly Designs was born.

We filed our DBA, opened a bank account, and started designing samples for invitations, holiday cards, and birth announcements in preparation for our November 2000 launch. But there was still one crucial element left—our logo. We needed something that would stand out and represent our brand in the best way possible.

During my time as Manager of Public Relations at Princess Cruises, I developed strong relationships with a talented design firm, Sargent and Berman, based in Santa Monica. Greg Berman and Peter Sargent, the principals of the firm, had become close friends after working together on various logo designs and brochures for Princess Cruises’ new ship launches. In fact, they had even designed my wedding invitations in 1996! They generously agreed to create a few logo comps for us, and this is where we ended up in 2000. While their design fees were beyond our budget, they were kind enough to do this for us pro bono, and I am forever grateful to them.

Fast forward to 2017, after attending Katie Hunt’s Paper Camp in Manhattan Beach, the idea of a rebrand started to make sense. I reached out to my friend Greg, who by then had rebranded his firm as Berman Design Group. Greg and his team worked their magic to refresh our logo, and I absolutely love the result! It’s clean, modern, and perfectly reflects the heart of Social Butterfly Designs.

Now, as I celebrate my 25th anniversary this year—I wanted to create something special to commemorate this milestone. This time, I decided to design it myself. I wanted to incorporate “25 years” into the design, but I didn’t want to ask another favor. After some thought, I ran my ideas past Greg, and he suggested something simple yet meaningful—use my own handwriting under the original logo. Since my handwriting has always been a personal part of my work, it felt like the perfect fit.

And so, the new look for my business cards and commemorative bookmark was born! Every purchase this year will come with a bookmark to celebrate our 25 years.

What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

A Look Back: Riding the Creative Wave -- My "Endless Summer" Collaboration

Looking back on 25 years of Social Butterfly Designs, there many moments that shaped my journey, but few compare to the thrill of 2010—when I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Bruce Brown Films and The Endless Summer through a licensing agreement.

For a lifelong admirer of great design and iconic imagery, working with The Endless Summer was very exciting for me. The legendary 1966 surf documentary, with its striking poster art by John Van Hamersveld, captured the spirit of adventure, freedom, and endless possibility which has stood the test of time. Through my special licensing agreement, I was able to create new designs using the original artwork, reimagining elements of that classic, sun-soaked aesthetic in a fresh way.

The process was both exciting and humbling. The enormity of working with such a beloved piece of surf culture wasn’t lost on me. I wanted to honor its legacy while incorporating my own artistic touch. Seeing those designs come to life—and knowing they resonated with fellow Endless Summer fans—was definitely a highlight for me at what was then the 10 year mark of my business.

Now, looking back, I realize how much this project reinforced what I love most about design: its ability to connect people, evoke nostalgia, and tell a story. Whether it’s a handwritten note, a thoughtfully crafted illustration, or a piece of history given a new life, creativity has the power to bring us all together.

This is a set of postcards I created for the line, which were sold at the Huntington Beach Surf Museum

This was just one wave in my creative journey, but it’s one I’ll always be grateful I got to ride.

Do you remember the first time you saw The Endless Summer? I’d love to hear your memories in the comments!